Microsoft's security products, including Microsoft Defender, are designed to identify and respond to a vast array of threats. In an average month, Microsoft identifies over 100 million new threats, which indicates a proactive approach to threat detection. However, the effectiveness of their response compared to rivals can vary depending on the specific threats and the capabilities of the competing products.
Independent security tests may not fully capture the breadth of Microsoft's threat detection capabilities, as they often focus on a limited set of threats. Microsoft's security stack includes additional layers of protection that are not always reflected in these evaluations, which can lead to perceptions that they are slower to respond to new threats.
Ultimately, while Microsoft aims to stay ahead of emerging threats, the rapid evolution of malware means that no security provider can guarantee immediate detection and response to every new virus before others. The effectiveness of their response may also depend on the specific nature of the threats being analyzed and the resources available to each company.